Department of Animal Husbandry: Pork prices are cheap this Tet!

"This Lunar New Year, livestock products are abundant, we are not afraid of shortages like previous years," said the Deputy Director of the Department of Livestock.

Regarding the supply and prices of livestock products during the Lunar New Year, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Duong - Deputy Director of the Department of Livestock Production commented: In addition to the difficulties of pig farmers, this year's livestock products basically met domestic consumption demand in the past year. The poultry, egg, dairy and beef cattle industries still grew well.

The sharp drop in pork prices could last until the first half of 2018.

"Consumers can all use cheap, good quality meat products. Especially during this Lunar New Year, livestock products are abundant, we are not afraid of shortage crisis like previous years. I think this is a positive aspect of the livestock industry in 2017," said Mr. Duong.

According to the leader of the Department of Animal Husbandry, at this time, pork has not improved, prices are still falling deeply and will last for a long time. The sharp drop in pork prices may last until the first half of 2018.

"In general, livestock farming in 2017 still developed at the right pace. However, the pork industry did not achieve what we expected. The pork industry has a very high production capacity, but the market's absorption capacity is limited, so it does not push up pork consumption prices, making the pork industry difficult," Mr. Duong acknowledged.

To escape the situation of prolonged losses, according to Mr. Duong, participating in the chain is one of the urgent issues that breeders need to do immediately.

If we do not organize livestock farming according to the chain, the crisis in the pig industry will continue to last. Currently, it is very difficult for us to control food hygiene and safety issues, and control supply and demand.

“By participating in the chain, livestock farmers will not be alone. They have the responsibility to share and solve environmental problems, food safety and hygiene problems, and market problems. The chain is a key solution for sustainable livestock development in the coming time, which is also an important content of restructuring in livestock development in 2018 and the following years,” Mr. Duong affirmed.

Investment projects in agriculture and livestock are encouraged to create the best conditions when there is a chain of linkages, farmers participate and sign long-term contracts with farmers for 3 years.

In particular, state support for credit, agricultural extension, and training will also change. Instead of directly supporting livestock farmers, the state will directly support businesses, from which businesses will work directly with large households, and cooperatives will work directly with small households.

The products will be brought to market by the cooperative, or the enterprise will organize slaughtering, processing and bringing the products to many market segments, domestic and export markets.

"By doing so, the livestock industry can solve existing problems and avoid similar problems to the pig farming industry last year," said Mr. Duong.

According to Urban Economics